Ferreira DH, Louw S, McCloud P, et al. - Via performing a multi-site, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-arm, fixed-dose trial, researchers examined the efficacy of oxycodone vs placebo in reducing chronic breathlessness. They analyzed 155 participants; of these 74 received oxycodone, 81 received a placebo. They performed recruitment in 14 inpatient and outpatient respiratory, cardiology and palliative care services across Australia. For both arms, ‘as needed’ immediate-release morphine (2.5 mg per dose; ≤ 6 doses/day) was available as required by one ethics committee overseeing the trial. As per outcomes, oxycodone appeared to have no benefit over placebo.